Tredwell on Kent pre-season and England

New Kent captain James Tredwell was just settling back into pre-season with his county team-mates when England came knocking once again. The off-spinner has been flown out to New Zealand to replace the injured Graeme Swann, and will provide competition for Monty Panesar in the current Test-match series.

Prior to his departure, Tredwell was able to sample a flavour of how Kent’s preparations are likely to pan out ahead of the 2013 season. From New Zealand, Kent’s new skipper talks to the official Club website about a 'greenhouse' at the St Lawrence Ground, England and a proud family.

The players are back in pre-season training. What’s been happening?

Jimmy is preparing the side and put together a good programme over the winter. He'll then prepare the team leading up to matches. Then during every game, I will take over on the field, getting the best out of the guys during matches.

You are in New Zealand now, but how was outdoor training going, prior to your departure?

Well we've got a tent, or 'greenhouse' at Canterbury now, and the guys are training indoors and are delighted to also get the opportunity to get outside now. It's been a bit chilly and there will be a few bruises early season, people getting the ball on fingers etc, but it's important to put the hard work in out on the grass and to really get going. There are some interesting times ahead, and we are all massively looking forward to the new season.

So how are things different this year?

We've got the see through 'greenhouse' at the St Lawrence Ground – it enables sunlight to get through and keeps the surface dry. Going away for warm weather training is expensive and you are never sure just what the facilities will be like. Often they are tired, dry surfaces – not what you get in April over here. You want similar conditions to what you will face, early season. You want to get in lots of hours to make sure you are ready.

The facilities are improving all of the time, aren’t they?

I think the facilities were fit, before all of the redevelopment work, but it was getting a bit tired in some areas. I think it makes sense to freshen things up at the ground and we now have such great surroundings. I'm sure there are still areas that will continue to improve.

You were heavily involved with England over the winter. How much of an honour was it to get a good run in the side?

The winter was massively pleasing for me, I've been involved for a few tours but not played as much as I would like. Getting the tour to India, playing every game and being one of the first names on the sheet was really pleasurable. Doing well within that was the icing on the cake.

The injury to Graeme Swann has given you another chance. How pleasing is that?

I realise I'm behind Swanny but I'm just trying to do myself justice. His injury has given me a chance against New Zealand and I will try to do as well as possible, when and if selected. I think it is important not to keep waiting for him to get injured; I have to focus on what I'm doing and keep moving my career on. With the captaincy, I hope to do myself justice and show that I can perform on the international stage.

England often only go with one spinner. Is it frustrating, knowing that you’ve only got such a limited chance?

I take your point and you can look at it like that. Fast bowlers and batters have a greater chance because there are a couple in each team, at any one time, but wicketkeeper's and spin bowlers only tend to get the one place so you just need to try and grab onto it and stay there once selected.

Do you think you would get a better chance with England if you were at one of the Test playing counties?

I don't think it matters (who you play for) as long as you are playing well. Kent, historically, are a big county and we still see ourselves as a Club that wants to be in the first division of the LV= County Championship. That is the goal that we have set ourselves and hopefully we will go one step better than last year.

Will you be missed at Kent while you are away with England?

Hopefully we have put something in place which means I'm not a massive loss to the team or the set-up. We have put a scenario in place so that everyone knows their job and we have got people sitting in the wings, chomping at the bit to stake their claim when an opportunity arises. Someone will take their chance and there are lots of leaders within the group; we have many senior guys as well as some more junior players who also aspire to lead, further down the line.

What will happen between now and the start of the season?

Lots of hard work will be put in; we will have planning meetings and discussions. We will talk about what we did last year and focus on where we want to get to this season. We have lots of goals and it's important to keep banging out the skills; whether it be with bat, ball or in the field. We have the guys that can impress, I'm certain of that.

Finally, how proud are your friends and family?

Mum and Dad are immensely proud. They've seen me come up through the system at Kent and have been massively proud of my entire career. They are pleased as punch that I've got the captaincy. I grew up watching the likes of Mark Benson and Matthew Fleming. Since then I've played under the likes of Dave Fulton and Rob Key. It would be silly not to use bits from all of them. I haven't got the same type of character as a Jazzer (Matthew Fleming) or a Keysy but I can take parts of how they did it and bring it into my own game.